Those looking for the ultimate cruise experience on a family-friendly cruise line should consider the spacious suites onboard Royal Caribbean ships.
While the suite experience is not quite the "ship-within-a-ship" concept that other cruise lines have -- most notably Celebrity Cruises' The Retreat, Norwegian Cruise Line's The Haven, and MSC Cruises' Yacht Club -- all suite guests onboard Royal Caribbean ships have access to perks and benefits that those in standard cabins do not.
Since suites are limited in number, they're often the first type of cabin to sell out on any given voyage. If you are considering booking a Royal Caribbean suite, here is everything you need to know about their suite program and what splurging on one of these cabins means for you!
Suites onboard Royal Caribbean's newest ships come with more benefits
There are two echelons to Royal Caribbean's suite program. Essentially, the program on older ships (i.e., Vision, Radiance, Voyager, and Freedom Class ships) is more limited, whereas the Royal Suite program found onboard Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class ships is much more expansive.
Within the Royal Suite Class, there are three different tiers of suites, each with their own set of perks.
Excluding Junior Suites, you will have access to a dedicated suite lounge and concierge service, reserved seating on the pool deck, double Crown and Anchor points, and priority embarkation, regardless of what ship and suite you book.
All about the Royal Suite Class
The Royal Suite Class is an enhanced suite program compared to what's offered on older ships and is exclusively found onboard Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class ships.
The program is divided into three different tiers, Star, Sky, and Sea Class, with suites within the Star Class having the most benefits. As a plus, cabins within the Star Class are also the largest onboard.
This, however, makes them the most expensive staterooms onboard, costing thousands of dollars per person for a weeklong cruise!
Cabins within the Star Class include the Ultimate Family Townhouse and Ultimate Family Suite, Royal Loft Suite, Villa Suite, Owner’s Loft Suite, Grand Loft Suite, 1-Bedroom Owner and Grand Panoramic Suites, Star Loft Suite, Sky Loft Suite, and 2-Bedroom AquaTheater Suites.
Sky Class suites are a good option for those who want to experience more perks than the Sea Class but don't want to splurge on the most expensive rooms onboard.
Suites found within the Sky Class are 1- and 2-bedroom Grand Suites, 1-bedroom Owner’s and AquaTheatre Suites, Crown Loft Suites, and Sky Junior Suite (Icon Class).
Finally, guests staying in a Junior Suite will receive Sea Class perks. While minimal, they're meant to give passengers a taste of what they would experience if they booked a suite in a higher tier.
Junior Suites can be thought of as a large balcony cabin. They don't come with a lot of perks other than double Crown & Anchor points and access to Coastal Kitchen for dinner.
Since the price of a Junior Suite can sometimes be significantly more than a standard balcony, it is important to weigh how important the few benefits are to you.
Star Class suite benefits
- Royal Genie Service
- Coastal Kitchen for all meals
- Complimentary Specialty Restaurants (including Chef’s Table and à la carte dining)
- Complimentary Deluxe Beverage Package (for guests 21 years or older, or 18 and over where applicable by law)
- Complimentary Refreshment Package (for guests under legal drinking age)
- Still and Sparkling Water Replenished Daily
- Complimentary Gratuities
- Complimentary internet access
- Expedited Boarding and Departure
- Best Seats in the House in Select Entertainment Venues
- Priority Entrance to Many Onboard Activities
- Suite Lounge Access
- Access to Suite Sun Deck
- Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes for Use Onboard
- Complimentary Minibar stocked with Coca-Cola Beverages and Water
- Complimentary Laundry and Pressing Services
- Luxury Mattress and Pillows
- Frette Linens
- Luxury Bathroom Amenities
- Lavazza Espresso Coffee Maker
Sky Class suite benefits
- Concierge Service
- All-Day Access to Coastal Kitchen
- Specialty Bottled Water (upon arrival)
- Complimentary internet access
- Flexible Arrival Boarding & Priority Departure
- Priority Dining Reservations
- Venues Early Access to Seating in Select Entertainment Venues
- Suite Lounge Access
- Access to Suite Sun Deck
- Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes for Use Onboard
- Luxury Pillow Top Mattress
- Luxury Bathroom Amenities
- Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine
Sea Class suite benefits
- Dinner at Coastal Kitchen
- Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes for Use Onboard
- Luxury Pillow Top Mattress
- Luxury Bathroom Amenities
- Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine
Suites benefits onboard Vision, Radiance, Voyager, and Freedom Class ships
The suite experience on older ships is more standardized. Like Junior Suites within the Royal Suite Class, those on Vision, Radiance, Voyager, and Freedom Class ships have minimal benefits compared to other suites onboard.
With these cabins, you'll get a Royal Caribbean bathrobe, luxury bathroom amenities, priority boarding, a Lavazza espresso coffee machine, and, of course, double Crown & Anchor points per night of your sailing.
Grand Suite, Ocean View/Panoramic Suite & Owner's Suite
- Royal Caribbean Bathrobe
- Luxury Bathroom Amenities
- Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine
- Priority Boarding
- Pillowtop Mattress
- Priority Departure
- Concierge Service
- Suite Lounge/Concierge Club Access
- Priority Dining Reservations, Spa Bookings, and Shore Excursion Ticketing
- Suite Party Invitation (On Itineraries of 5+ Nights)
- Bridge, Galley & Backstage Tours
- VIP Pool Deck Seating (Voyager Class and Above)
- Priority Tendering
- Welcome Evian & Fruit Amenity
- Main Dining Menu Available for In-suite Dining (During Operating Hours)
- Complimentary 24-Hour Room Service
- Private Breakfast and Lunch Seating Available on Ships without a Coastal Kitchen
- Departure Breakfast
- Reserved Section in Theater
- Complimentary Pressing on First Formal Night
- Sign-up Fee Waived for Luggage Valet Service
Royal Suite & Villa Suite
- Royal Caribbean Bathrobe
- Luxury Bathroom Amenities
- Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine
- Priority Boarding
- Pillowtop Mattress
- Priority Departure
- Concierge Service
- Suite Lounge/Concierge Club Access
- Priority Dining Reservations, Spa Bookings, and Shore Excursion Ticketing
- Suite Party Invitation (On Itineraries of 5+ Nights)
- Bridge, Galley & Backstage Tours
- VIP Pool Deck Seating (Voyager Class and Above)
- Priority Tendering
- Welcome Evian & Fruit Amenity
- Main Dining Menu Available for In-suite Dining (During Operating Hours)
- Complimentary 24-Hour Room Service
- Private Breakfast and Lunch Seating Available on Ships without a Coastal Kitchen
- Departure Breakfast
- Reserved Section in Theater
- Complimentary Pressing on First Formal Night
- Sign-up Fee Waived for Luggage Valet Service
- Officer Escort Onboard from Terminal at Check-In
- Welcome Moet & Chandon
Which Royal Caribbean suite should you book?
The perfect Royal Caribbean suite is dependent on your preferences. You might be seeking the best value or wanting to maximize the space your family has to spread out.
Regardless of which suite you decide on, make sure that you look at the layout of the cabin, as well as the size of the balcony. The dimensions of suites within a given category (i.e., 1-Bedroom AquaTheater suites) can vary.
First time booking a suite? Go for a Grand or Owner's Suite
In addition to increased living space, you'll get full suite benefits with either a Grand or Owners Suite. This is important to those who want to be able to access the Suite Lounge and benefit from concierge services.
On ships with the Royal Suite Class, Grand and Owners Suites both fall within the Sky Class, meaning that you'll get complimentary internet, all-day access to Coastal Kitchen, and more.
These kinds of benefits are what draw guests to these suites!
If you want a suite without breaking the bank, choose a Junior Suite
There's no denying that standard cruise ship cabins are pretty small.
Even if you book a balcony, the total square footage is going to be less than most hotels. Plus, the bathrooms are larger and come with a bathtub, which is great for families with small children.
While it won't matter as much on a shorter cruise, Junior Suites are a good option for those who want a little bit extra living space.
If you want multiple bedrooms so your family has room to spread out, Loft Suites are a good option
Suites with multiple bedrooms are going to be more expensive than booking two connecting cabins; however, these rooms come with additional living space and perks that might make the cost worth it for your upcoming family vacation.
Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class ships have Loft Suites onboard. These are two-story suites that have vaulted ceilings and large floor-to-ceiling windows that provide expansive ocean views.
There are different categories of Loft Suites, with the Royal Loft Suite being the most expensive one. The different categories also mean that some are classified as Sky Class, whereas others are Star Class.
If you're looking for a great family suite with the most comprehensive list of benefits, you should try and score a Sky Loft, Grand Loft, Owner's Loft, or Royal Loft Suite. Crown Loft suites receive Sky Class benefits.
On older ships that lack the Royal Suite Class, you can find some 2-Bedroom Grand Suites (Vision, Freedom, and Voyager Classes) and 2-Bedroom Owner's Suites (Radiance Class).
If you have unlimited cash to burn, book the Ultimate Family Suite/Ultimate Family Townhouse
When I sat unlimited, I mean unlimited. A 7-night cruise in an Ultimate Family Suite can come out around $30,000; however, it is usually much more.
The Ultimate Family Townhouse, which is only available on Icon of the Seas, is sold out for 2024. The average cost was around $78,000 - $80,000 per week. Of course, the suite comes with all the Star Class perks, so you'll get the best of what Royal Caribbean has to offer.
While these cabins are a kids' haven, adults will enjoy bringing out their inner child. Inside, you'll find multiple bedrooms, an in-suite slide, a hot tub, and more.
You need to be sure of your decision, as deposits are non-refundable
When booking a standard cabin, you typically have two choices of deposits: non-refundable and refundable.
Refundable deposits tend to be more expensive; however, if you cancel your sailing prior to the final payment date, Royal Caribbean will issue a full refund of any money paid towards that reservation, including the deposit.
Non-refundable deposits are much less flexible. Regardless of the reason, if you cancel a non-refundable booking at any point after the deposit is made, they'll hold the entire deposit as a penalty.
If you're booking a cruise two years in advance and you are not sure whether the plans will come to fruition or not, you might be hesitant about booking a suite, as you won't be able to get the deposit back if plans change.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
